Physiological Properties and Pahthogenicity of (Fusarium Oxysporum F.Sp Ciceri) Isolated From Chickepea (Ciceri Arietinum) Seeds

Abstract

Two Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties (Shendi 14 and Wad Hamed 12) were tested for the presence of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum by dry inspection and blotter, agar and pathogencity tests. The dry inspection revealed some impurities, discolored seed, malformation and damage. In the blotter test, high percentage of the fungus (7.5%) was detected in Wad Hamed 12 seed samples. Other fungi detected in this test were Aspergillus flavus (8.5%), Aspergillus niger (3%), Alternaria sp (1%) Drechlera sp (1%). In the agar test high percentage of the fungus (39%) was detected in Wad Hamed 12 while (31%) found in Shendi 14. The pathogencity test showed that the fungus affected the seedling stand, shoots and roots of the two varietes. Physiological properties of the fungus were investigated. The optimum temperature for fungal growth was 28°C. Potato dextrose agar was the best medium for growth among the tested media. Among four carbon sources potato starch agar proved to be the best. When the fungus was treated with fungicide Tilt, reduction in growth even at low concentration (10 ppm) occurred. The fungicide Benomyl completely inhibited the growth of the fungus at all concentration. The antagonistic effect of the fungus Trichoderma viride against the growth of Fusarium oxysporium was demonstrated and the result was positive.